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 FLORIDA
-- Starting off the 2006 racing season on a winning note is always a positive
feeling for any race team, driver, or product supplier. After six nights of
Lucas Oil Late Model Series competition and two nights of World of Outlaws
Series action in Florida, six different drivers shared that feeling with one
tire company--Hoosier Racing Tire.
Hoosier-shod
drivers dominated the Lucas Oil Series action at East Bay Raceway Park just
outside of Tampa, Florida on February 6th thru the 11th.
Riding on newly redesigned 1300 compounded tires, Hoosier competitors claimed
five of the six fast time awards, 42 of the 46 heat race events, all 23 of the
consolation races, and all six of the A-main events.
Sullivan,
Wisconsin driver Dan Schlieper blazed the path to victory lane for Hoosier on
Monday while Billy Moyer, Dale McDowell, and Matt Miller continued the trend on
Tuesday through Thursday. On Friday and Sunday, it was the Steve Francis show
as the Kentucky driver wired the field for two victories and a cool $22,000
paycheck. All 10 drivers in the final Winternationals point standings,
including champion Dennis Erb Jr., raced exclusively on Hoosier 1300's.
When
racing action moved to Volusia Speedway Park on February 16th and 18th,
the story remained the same. Hoosier competitors claimed quick time, all
dashes, 13 of the 14 heat races, 6 of the 7 B-main events, and both feature
events. Florida's Earl Pearson dominated the action on Thursday while Steve
Francis claimed the top spot in Saturday’s $10,000 to win finale.
"We
couldn't be happier with the performance of all of our tires in Florida." commented
Hoosier Product Manager Shanon Rush. "The new 1300's exceeded our
expectations at East Bay. The driver comments were very positive and achieving
success with multiple chassis brands throughout the week really showed that our
2005 testing was a success."
To
compete under the new Lucas Oil Late Model Series tire rules for 2006, Hoosier
Racing Tire brought only two compounds to East Bay--the 1300 and 1600. With the
hard work of the East Bay staff, and continuous compound improvements by
Hoosier Engineering, drivers were able to race exclusively on the 1300 compound
tire in every event, from the first qualifying session to the weekending 75-lap
A-main event.
"We
definitely realize that Florida is just the start of our 2006 season."
said a cautious Mr. Rush. "We don't plan to rest on our Speedweeks
results for sure. We already have more testing in the planning stages and
continuous product improvement will remain our goal throughout the year."
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